A smartphone program to help African Americans quit smoking and reduce sedentary behavior.
Official title: HealthyCells: A Culturally-Tailored Smoking Cessation Smartphone Intervention for African Americans with Adjunctive Treatment for Sedentary Behavior
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11018625 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a smartphone program designed to help African Americans quit smoking and get more active by offering support, reminders, and rewards for making healthier choices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | May 8, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $134,715 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MD015295-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018625 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American adults who are current smokers and may also lead a sedentary lifestyle.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as African American or who are not currently smoking may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops a culturally-tailored smartphone intervention aimed at helping African Americans quit smoking while also reducing sedentary behavior. The program utilizes smartphone technology to provide behavioral support and real-time monitoring of activity levels through wrist-worn devices. Participants will receive prompts and rewards for achieving smoking cessation and increasing physical activity, addressing specific cultural needs and barriers. The approach combines financial incentives for abstinence verification and activity tracking to promote healthier lifestyles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve smoking cessation rates and overall health outcomes for African Americans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with smartphone-based interventions for smoking cessation and behavior change, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alexander, Adam C — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Alexander, Adam C
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.